In popular music, covers are songs which are performed by someone other than the original artist. For example, if a recording artist covers a song, it means that the song is being performed using material that was created by someone else or is a newer arrangement of a previously recorded song. Some popular singers may actually record covers as a tribute to an original artist or band.

Since we have a basic concept of covers, what is the difference between covers and ‘remakes?’ Covers are songs that are usually performed close to the same time frame as the original song. A remake is a recording which is made after some or much time has passed from the original release.

During the early to mid 1900s, phonograph record companies often used covers for their own recording artists so to improve the chances of success. Back then, when covers became successful, they were considered ‘crossovers’ from the original audience. Today, a crossover piece would include various genres of music. For instance, a song which was originally sung by a country artist and rerecorded by a jazz artist would be considered a crossover rendition. Sometimes the original composer will even work with the cover artist to create a new version of an original song.

Some covers are performed specifically to transform more familiar songs into contemporary style or more up-to-date versions. A good example of this would be 3 Doors Down, the band that covered Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘That Smell.’ This cover song was released in late 2003. Another good example of covers being rerecorded into pop version would be the band ‘Ace of Base,’ who covered Bananarama’s ‘Cruel Summer,’ released in the summer of 1998.

While each recording artist or band may record their own version (or simply perform covers in tribute to the original musicians), covers have been, and will ultimately be, recorded for years to come.

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